Morse Code and Morse Code and Enabling TechnologyEnabling Technology

Jeremy Cribb and Doug DaniellJeremy Cribb and Doug Daniell

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

What is Morse Code?What is Morse Code?

Invented in 1800s as a method for Invented in 1800s as a method for long-distance communicationlong-distance communication

Ideal for electrical communication, Ideal for electrical communication, due to its binary naturedue to its binary nature

Represents the letters of the Represents the letters of the alphabet as electric pulsesalphabet as electric pulses

Composed of dits (.) and dahs (-)Composed of dits (.) and dahs (-)

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

AdvantagesAdvantages

Surprisingly rapid entry of textSurprisingly rapid entry of text Ease of use / low costEase of use / low cost Low need for physical abilityLow need for physical ability VersatilityVersatility PortabilityPortability UnobtrusivenessUnobtrusiveness Can aid in literacy skillsCan aid in literacy skills

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

Example ApplicationsExample Applications

Puff-sip Opposing motion

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Low awareness Low awareness teaching not teaching not emphasizedemphasized

Difficult to learnDifficult to learn High initial error entry rateHigh initial error entry rate User discouragementUser discouragement

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

DARCI Card ($495)DARCI Card ($495)

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

Current State of Morse Code as Current State of Morse Code as an Enabling Technologyan Enabling Technology

Extensive generic hardware support Extensive generic hardware support (DARCI)(DARCI)

Numerous software products Numerous software products available for desktop computersavailable for desktop computers

Valuable resource for persons with Valuable resource for persons with severe disabilitiessevere disabilities

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

How can we extend this How can we extend this technology?technology?

Pursue applications of Morse Code Pursue applications of Morse Code input for PDAs / embedded systemsinput for PDAs / embedded systems

Allow universal accessibilityAllow universal accessibility• Enable visually impaired with text-to-Enable visually impaired with text-to-

speech feedbackspeech feedback• Enable physically impaired with simple Enable physically impaired with simple

and portable input optionsand portable input options

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

Further BenefitsFurther Benefits

Universal design will increase Universal design will increase functionality for all usersfunctionality for all users

Examples:Examples:• Mobile Input (replace PDA stylus with Mobile Input (replace PDA stylus with

Bluetooth device?)Bluetooth device?)• Replace/augment screen output with Replace/augment screen output with

audio feedbackaudio feedback

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

Incremental Design ApproachIncremental Design Approach

1.1. Construct a functional Morse-to-Speech Construct a functional Morse-to-Speech application in Python (pyMTS)application in Python (pyMTS)

Keyboard/Mouse inputKeyboard/Mouse input

2.2. Port this application to the Windows CE Port this application to the Windows CE platform (and/or Palm?)platform (and/or Palm?)

3.3. Cordless mouse for PDA morse input Cordless mouse for PDA morse input (Bluetooth?)(Bluetooth?)

4.4. Morse education: design a game to teach Morse education: design a game to teach Morse code (Morse Invaders?)Morse code (Morse Invaders?)

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

Progress so far…Progress so far…

Functional program that decodes Functional program that decodes morse code as input and outputsmorse code as input and outputs• text to a display fieldtext to a display field• audio feedback after each letter, using a audio feedback after each letter, using a

TTS engine and MSSAPI – also reads TTS engine and MSSAPI – also reads each completed word and sentenceeach completed word and sentence

Focus is on Focus is on universaluniversal accessibility accessibility Demo!Demo!

UNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, JereUNC-CS Enabling Technology Course, Jeremy Cribb and Doug Daniellmy Cribb and Doug Daniell

CreditCredit

Modern Morse Code in Rehabilitation Modern Morse Code in Rehabilitation and Education: New Applications in and Education: New Applications in Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology by Tomas by Tomas WayneWayne